New housing allocations scheme for Herefordshire

A new housing allocations scheme and upgraded website is being introduced in Herefordshire from mid-June to offer improved access to affordable rented accommodation for prospective tenants.

The changes to Home Point, Herefordshire’s current system for allocating affordable housing, will come into effect from Monday 22 June.  The new system will include an improved allocations rating scheme to make applying and bidding for properties easier and provide applicants with more choice over the types of housing they can apply for.  The Home Point website (www.home-point.info) will also receive a new look making it more user friendly.

Everyone registered on the current housing allocations scheme will receive a letter informing them of the changes and when they come into effect and any action that they will need to take. Under the new scheme Home Point will no longer operate the green, amber and red banding system.  This system has been replaced with 4 Bands A to D for applicants on the council’s housing register and see the introduction of a Band E that will enable applicants to apply directly to the housing associations.

The current system stopped receiving new housing applications from 5 June.  Registered applicants will be able to continue to bid for advertised properties until Monday 15 June and then the system will be unavailable for a week whilst the changes are implemented.  The new system will be available for new applications and bids from Monday 22June.